Yamaha MT-03 (2015+) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the 2015+ Yamaha MT-03.
The MT-03 was refreshed externally in 2020, but the maintenance is the same as former years. Yamaha brought the maintenance schedule in Europe in line with what the YZF-R3 had had since the beginning.
The Yamaha MT-03 is based on a liquid-cooled 321cc parallel twin with dual overhead cams and 4 valves per cylinder. It’s a spritely motor. With a 11.2:1 compression ratio, it puts out a peak of 30.9 kW (41.4 hp) at 10750 rpm, and peak torque of 29.6 Nm (22 lb-ft) at 9000 rpm.
It’s very similar to the maintenance schedule for the Yamaha YZF-R3, which shares the same engine and components.
Yamaha updated the MT-03 with a styling make-over for 2020. It got inverted front forks and a redesigned front light to match the 2020 MT-09 and MT-10. The MT-03 still has a single brake disc up front.
Originally published October 23, 2020, but extensively updated since.
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What you need to service the Yamaha MT-03
If you’re doing scheduled maintenance on an MT-03, you at least need basic motorcycle maintenance tools.
Aside from that, for the Yamaha MT-03, the manual recommends the following specific consumables.
| Part | Yamaha MT-03/YZF-R3 Spec |
|---|---|
| Engine oil | Yamalube 10W-40 or Yamalube 10W-50 as recommended by Yamaha. The manual suggests it and it’s affordable on Amazon with a solid 5-star rating. Other lubricants would do, e.g. Motul 7100 10W-50 or Mobil 1 Synthetic, but that’s your call. Don’t over-torque the bolt (spec is 20 Nm/15 lb-ft per the manual) — use a torque wrench if you don’t have experience with how much torque is enough. |
| Oil filter | Needs to be changed every time you change the oil. Either get a stock one (part 5GH-13440-50-00, used for many Yamaha products) or the Hiflofiltro HF204RC. Torque is 17 Nm/13 lb-ft. |
| Engine coolant | Yamaha recommends “Yamacool”, but use any 50/50 ethylene glycol pre-mix. |
| Spark Plugs | NGK CR8E. This is what the manual and mechanics suggest. Make sure it’s gapped correctly to 0.7-0.8mm (get a gapping tool) and torqued to 18 Nm/13 lb-ft (new) or 13Nm/10 lb-ft (after checking). |
| Air filter | Yamaha part number 1WD-E4451-00. You can also get the K&N equivalent, YA-3215. |
| Brake pads | I recommend EBC double hardened brake pads for extra life and better brake feel. For the R3 and MT-03 you need one set for the front (FA663HH) and one for the rear (FA662HH). |
| Chain maintenance | Motul chain paste — one of the most highly-regarded chain lubes. Easy to apply, doesn’t fling off. If you need more stuff, get the Motul chain care kit as an affordable package. |
| Cable lube | Use Protect all cable life to lubricate your cables and controls. |
| Grease | Always good to have on hand lithium soap-based grease for lubing external pivot points (like the swingarm) and bearings. |
Yamaha MT-03 Maintenance Schedule
Below is the maintenance schedule for the Yamaha MT-03.
The original maintenance schedule is split up into emissions-related and non-emissions-related parts, but we’ve recombined them and split them into
- A recurring service schedule of important items like spark plugs, oil changes, and valve clearance checks, and
- A standard “Inspection checklist” — things to look over for wear, leaks, or damage.
Notes on the maintenance schedules
- At the end of the maintenance schedule, keep repeating the same maintenance schedule periodically.
- Yamaha would prefer you to only service the chain, change the oil, and grease external points, leaving other work for qualified professionals for safety reasons.
- Items marked [Y] need specialist diagnostic tools that dealers have.
Yamaha MT-03 maintenance schedule — USA (3000 mile / 6-month)
Below is the US-based maintenance schedule for the Yamaha MT-03 with 3000-mile or 6-month service intervals.
| x1000 mi | 0.6 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 16 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| x1000 km | 1 | 6 | 11 | 16 | 21 | 26 | |
| month | 1 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 | Every |
| Perform inspection checklist (see below) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Change engine oil with Yamalube 10W-40 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | When oil change indicator flashes |
| Replace oil filter (HF204RC) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Check spark plugs. Adjust gap and clean with gapping tool | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Replace spark plugs (NGK CR8E) (Tighten to 13 Nm / 9.6 lb-ft) | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
| Check and adjust valve clearances | 26600 Mi (42000 Km) | ||||||
| Clean air filter check hose | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Replace air filter (part YA-3215) | ✓ | More often if riding in dusty/wet areas | |||||
| Check clutch operation. Adjust or replace cable. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Replace brake hoses | 4 years | ||||||
| Replace brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4) | 2 years | ||||||
| Replace rubber parts of brake master cylinder and calipers | 2 years | ||||||
| Change coolant with ethylene glycol pre-mix | ✓ | ||||||
| Check wheel runout and for damage. Replace if necessary. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Check wheel bearings for smooth operation. Replace if necessary. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Check swingarm pivot bearing assemblies for looseness | ✓ | ||||||
| Moderately repack swingarm pivot bearings with lithium soap-based grease | ✓ | ||||||
| Check steering bearing assemblies for looseness. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Check crankcase breather hose for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Check evap control system for damage. Replace if necessary | ✓ | ✓ |
Yamaha MT-03 Maintenance Schedule — Europe (10000 km / annual)
Below is the European maintenance maintenance schedule in km. The maintenance intervals are much wider — 10000 km and 6000-mile or annual service intervals.
Note that you should check the engine oil level between services (every 5000 km).
| km x 1000 | 1 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mi x 1000 | 0.6 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | Every |
| Perform regular inspection checklist (see below) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Change engine oil with Yamalube 10W-40 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | When oil change indicator flashes |
| Replace oil filter cartridge (HF204RC) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Check spark plugs. Clean and regap (0.8-0.9mm, use gapping tool) | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Replace spark plugs (NGK CR8E) (Tighten to 13 Nm / 9.6 lb-ft) | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Check and adjust valve clearances | 40000 km (24000 mi) | |||||
| Clean air filter check hose | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Replace air filter (part YA-3215) | ✓ | ✓ | More often if riding in dusty/wet conditions | |||
| Check clutch operation. Adjust or replace cable. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Replace brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4) | 2 years | |||||
| Replace rubber parts of brake master cylinder and calipers | 2 years | |||||
| Change coolant with ethylene glycol pre-mix | 3 years | |||||
| Replace brake hoses | 4 years | |||||
| Check wheel runout and for damage. Replace if necessary. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Check wheel bearings for smooth operation. Replace if necessary. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Check steering bearings for play and roughness | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Lubricate steering bearings with lithium soap-based grease | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Check swingarm pivot bearing assemblies for excessive play | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Lubricate swingarm pivot bearings with lithium soap-based grease | 50000 km (30000 mi) | |||||
| Check evap control system for damage. Replace if necessary | ✓ | ✓ |
Regular inspection checklist
Follow this checklist according to the schedule above.
| Yamaha MT-03 Regular Inspection Checklist | Necessary at break-in? |
|---|---|
| [Y] Perform dynamic inspection using Yamaha diagnostic tool (if you have one). Check the error codes | Yes |
| Check engine oil level and vehicle for oil leakage. Perform every 5000 km. | Yes |
| Check front brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage. Replace brake pads if necessary (EBC FA663HH) | Yes |
| Check rear brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage. Replace brake pads if necessary (EBC FA662HH) | Yes |
| Check front and rear brake switch operation | Yes |
| Check sidestand switch and replace if necessary. | Yes |
| Lubricate moving parts and cables (Protect All Cable Life) | Yes |
| Check lights, signals and switch operation. Adjust headlight beam | Yes |
| Adjust fuel injection synchronization | |
| Check brake hoses for cracks or damage, and for correct routing and clamping | |
| Check cooling system hoses for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary. | |
| Check tire tread depth and for damage. Replace if necessary. | |
| Check the air induction cut valve and reed valve, and hose for damage. Replace any damaged parts. | |
| Check throttle operation and free play. Adjust the throttle cable free play if necessary. Lubricate the throttle grip housing and cable (Protect All Cable Life) | |
| Check fuel lines for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary | |
| Check muffler / exhaust screw clamps for looseness. | |
| Lubricate brake lever pivot shaft with silicone grease lightly | |
| Lubricate brake pedal, clutch lever, and shift pedal pivot shafts with lithium soap-based grease lightly | |
| Check front fork operation and for rust, damage, or oil leakage. Rebuild or replace if necessary. | |
| Check shock operation and for rust, damage, or oil leakage. Replace if necessary. | |
| Check sidestand pivot, and lubricate with lithium soap-based grease lightly. | |
| Check all chassis fitting and fasteners for tightness |
Yamaha MT-03 Tire specs
The recommended tire sizes and pressures for the Yamaha MT-03 are as follows (per the manual):
| Tire | Size | Pressure (cold) |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 110/70R-17M/C (54H) | 2 bar / 200 kPa (29 psi) |
| Rear | 140/70R-17M/C (66H) | 2.5 bar / 250 kPa (36 psi) |
The MT-03 ships with Michelin Pilot Street tyres.
About the Yamaha MT-03
The MT-03 is a pocket rocket, a standard (or “Naked”) motorcycle based on the very successful YZF-R3’s engine and chassis.
Even though it’s based on a small engine, the Yamaha MT-03 is sized like a full-sizes (albeit compact) motorcycle. The frame, handlebars, wheels, and tyres all look correct — not like a downsized standard.
So the Yamaha MT-03 is ideal for new riders who want to get on to a bike that’s fun, quick, and feels cool. That feeling’s important!
The 321cc liquid-cooled, inline 2-cylinder engine rips through the rpm range. Its 180-degree crank design (where it goes bang-bang-pause-pause) is balanced by an integrated counter-balancer, which means that the engine has minimum vibrations in most everyday parts of the rev range.
Even though the engine is only 321ccs and produces “only” 42 hp (31 kW), the MT-03 is a lot of fun to ride hard — something you can’t do on larger bikes without ending up in illegal speed territory. It produces enough torque down low, but is very rewarding to ride up.
Experienced riders who get on the MT-03 end up liking it, even if most people don’t switch to it for their main ride. It’s frugal on gas, easy to maintain, and very easy to flog.
While the suspension and brakes specs are low, the bike is lightweight, which means that the ride is comfortable and the brakes are adequate for everyday work.
In 2020, Yamaha updated the MT-03. They kept the core of it — the 321 cc parallel twin and every riding spec.
But the new 2020 Yamaha MT-03 got
- Upside-down forks — still not adjustable, but they make for less un-sprung mass up front
- New shock settings to match
- Redesigned front lights — an LED headlight and slant-eye front lights
- LCD instruments
- LED flashers
Overall it’s much the same bike, and the maintenance schedule remains the same.
Manual for the Yamaha MT-03
The above information was gleaned from the owner’s manual for the 2022 Yamaha MT-03 from the US and the 2020 manual from the Europe spec MT-03.
The maintenance schedule remains much the same as previous years.
Yamaha updated their MT-03 maintenance schedules for Europe. It used to be a lot more aggressive.
You can download it from Yamaha’s website here.
Below is the old / superseded maintenance schedule for Europe. Yamaha has retrospectively gone and updated all its manuals since 2015. This old maintenance schedule is much more aggressive, similar to the US one.
